By the time the 1972 model year rolled around, the compact Chevrolet Nova hadn’t changed much in four years. In fact, it’s almost impossible to tell a ’72 from a ’71. And, yet, the Chevy had its fifth-best sales year at nearly 350,000 units. This four-door sedan wasn’t big on options, but does have a 350 cubic inch V8 to tool around in. Presented by a dealer, the seller hints at this being a muscle car and yet nothing here points to that other than the aftermarket wheels. Located in Stevensville, Montana, this daily driver is available here on eBay for $11,300 OBO.
Though not perfect, this family sedan has been treated to a new gas tank and exhaust system, at a minimum. With a presumed 84,000 miles on the clock, we’re told the 350 V8 has been rebuilt though not recently, and we assume the TH-350 automatic transmission does its job. The seller refers to this car as a barn find, but no photos show it having been freed from one. The seller also uses a lot of corny language to talk up the car, which is unnecessary and gets old quickly.
We’re told that the paint has been “spruced up in the past,” so is that another way of saying it wears an older respray? The olive green/brown paint was probably not the most popular Chevy color in 1972. The body is okay, but the seller says there is some indication of prior work. And both bumpers have been pushed in slightly, not enough to warrant being changed if you’re not eyeing a restoration. Two decent-sized rust holes are said to be in the floorboards below the rubber floor coverings (sorry, no carpeting).
Nova has power steering, but no power brakes, and the factory air conditioning could use recharging. This Chevy has a basic interior, and the front bench seat has help from black duct tape to keep it together (nice application, though). Both front doors have holes in them where the panels were once cut for speakers. If you take this auto home, you’re going to want to install four new tires because the current ones are old with flat spots. The seller provides a video to help seal the deal. Are there too many doors to make this Nova a decent buy?
Not a bad price if it isn’t hopelessly rotted. You seldom see a Nova with factory A/C, and a 350, too.
2 doors 2 many for that price. It looks like the only thing the original owner spent money on was the optional engine, everything thing else looks to be stock. Wait, it has bumper guards too. Even if I was looking for a Nova it would be a big NO!
Oh, come on. A ’72 4 door plain jane Nova for 11K? That’s Daffy Duck money.
Unfortunately, “Daffy Duck” money is the new normal, at least for old Novas and their GM siblings. Someone will buy it and restomod it, then keep it or try to sell it as a “sleeper”, as the coupes and hatchbacks command even crazier money than the sedans!
I’m afraid that you have been led astray. 11K for a 4 door plain Jane Nova is by any stretch of the imagination the true definition of “Daffy Duck” money. Some cars simply don’t become more desirable just because they are older. Age may add value to a true antique, but I’m afraid a 70s era Chevy II is a long way from being a valuable antique.
The new gas tank and exhaust is a decent enough start, unfortunately the 4 doors is going to kill it. No one considered 4 door cars back then a muscle car, even if a lot of the sedans had big blocks and maxed out on options. It just wasn’t a thing. It’s interesting the original buyer opted for the 350, AC, and rear defrost, but everything else is absolute lowest tier possible. It’s an odd build to say the least.
It’s from the heartland, with both snow and blazing heat, so the rear window defroster makes sense, and the 350 V8 was the largest engine option available from the factory, so it would help compensate for the drag of the A/C in the summer, and the automatic made it an easy daily driver. While most cars from this vintage would have had the six cylinder, but not the A/C, it’s not as unusual as one might think at first glance. Although most of these born with a V8 would have settled for the 307 instead of the 350, there were a few out there with the larger motor, as this example proves! By this time, the “SS” option, with its 383 and big block engine options were long gone from the Nova’s option list.
You must have some info. that I am unaware of. Chevrolet has never produced a 383 cu. in. engine except as one available through its high performance “crate engine” program.
Except down under in the land of 4 door boxy 351 Falcons with shaker hood scoops & rear spoilers.
https://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30187
Here it is again, a 4-door “survivor”. Someone tried to give it some flair with the wheels but it’s still a plain old Nova.
The green/gold was not popular but I like it. Charcoal was an offering in ’70 and ’72 but didn’t catch on like now. Auto, air, power steering and a 350 is a fair amount of equipment. It helps to remember that there was no stereo radio, tilt wheel wasn’t available until ’73 and power windows and locks until ’75. We weren’t quite as dependent on conveniences in 1972.
The green/gold would look better paired with a tan interior than the black seen here, and for the money asked it should be in mint condition but isn’t.
True that. Problem is when people are given a choice it’s not always that simple. Saddle was a new color but likely only on the bucket seats leaving neutral beige on sedans. Lots of people found that too light. So we default to black we see here. Sadly the original brochure doesn’t break it down for the ’72 model.
When I met my wife-to-be she had an absolute basic ’68 Nova 4door. The only real differences I see here are head rests and taillights. Hers was a 6 automatic and she drove it to work every day for many years. Never gave us any problems. In 1983 She bought a new Chevette 4door that was just as reliable. I drove the Nova as a beater for some time until a friend asked to buy it for his 16 year old son. That is a very sad story that need not be told. But I had converted the engine to Amsoil and after it got wrecked it sat for years but that reliable old 6 still turned over.
Good surprise to see the 350. Most had a six or the lackluster 307 in the sedans.
I like the original owner went for the 350/A/C, power steering but no disc brakes. I would add disc brakes and dual exhuast. The period correct rims are nice on this Nova but I would prefer Chevy rally wheels Other than that its a nice Nova even if it has 4 doors. Price could be lower!!
$11,300 for a set of wheels/tires…and nothing more.